If you’re looking for a credible interstate moving company in the US, make sure you verify the legal credentials, common industrial red flags, insurance liability, and pricing. Checking these factors before opting for a mover helps to choose the best one.
Key Takeaways
- Checking the legal compliance and organizational credentials is important to know about a mover’s authenticity.
- Verifying the accurate estimate, pricing, and insurance is important to secure a hassle-free and affordable shipment.
- Choosing a Florida-based mover, well-aware of the climate factors, especially in cases of long-distance moving, is a wise decision.
- Essential to avoid a moving company with a vague name, over-the-phone assurance (without any walk-through), or a higher cash deposit demand.
Research shows that 25.87 million Americans relocated in 2024 – 11% of the US population. Due to professional or personal purposes, the interstate relocation is now more common, since people prefer the glamour of a big city or the serenity of suburban areas in either way.
Here, we recommend some key tips you must be aware of while looking for an interstate moving company in the US. This guidance will help you get rid of unwanted dilemmas and experience a hassle-free shipment.
1. Essential Credentials & Legal Compliance
Any Florida or US-based movers providing interstate services should be registered with the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA). Here’s how to hire a moving company, following its credentials and legal compliance.
- Make sure that the mover has an active USDOT number and Motor Carrier (MC) number, since these are required in transporting goods for hire across state lines.*
- Examine the Better Business Bureau for complaints, ratings, and to check if the company is accredited or not.
- Ensure the company’s existence with a real office or warehouse – but not just a virtual or residential address.
Pro Tip: Visit the website of the FMCSA Search Tool and check the authenticity of their USDOT number. If the status is not active, look for other movers.
Note: The FMCSA launched a new registration platform- the MOTUS- in December 2025 in a limited capacity. It is expected to be fully implemented throughout 206, phasing out the MC number. Under this new Registration Modernization system, suffixes attached to the USDOT numbers will function as the sole federal identifier for motor carriers.
2. Accurate Estimates & Pricing
Here’s what you should check about estimates and moving pricing before you hire a professional moving company.
- Reputable movers must provide a written estimate following a virtual or physical walk-through of your inventory – whether it’s a residential or corporate relocation. So, do not opt for any company giving final quotes over the phone, considering the square footage only.
- While a binding estimate guarantees the total cost, checking the inventory, a non-binding estimate provides the final cost as per the shipment weight. Choose a mover providing a binding estimate to avoid “surprise bills”, a common factor in non-binding estimates.
- A credible mover should provide a list (tariff) of all potential additional fees regarding long carries or stairs. Choosing a mover with tariff disclosure is a wise choice.
Note: If you pack your own boxes, movers will not be liable for damage unless the outside of the box is visibly damaged. For high-value items, it’s better to allow professionals to pack them to secure monetary coverage.
3. Insurance and Liability
Major moving companies in the US are registered with the FMCSA and are responsible for providing mandatory liability coverage. Here’s what you should know about insurance and liability of movers.
- Two levels of liability – full value protection and released value protection- are mandatory for a mover to offer. While the first one offers replacement value if items are damaged or lost (comprehensive coverage), the second coverage is minimal in amount. Check if the mover you’re looking forward to provides both levels of liability.
- Make sure the mover carries goods in transit insurance to protect the belongings in the truck.
- Hire a professional moving company with commercial general liability insurance to cover damage to property during the move.
- Review the Bill of Landing (official contract) and the list of inventories carefully. Do not sign a blank contract, or choose a mover that does not provide it before loading.
Note: Under the 110% Rule, a professional mover cannot ask for 100% of a binding estimate or more than 110% of a non-binding one. Post this, the mover must deposit all belongings without demanding further payment, and bill you for the balance later.
It is also important to note that under the Florida Statute 507, it is illegal for a mover to withhold prescription medications or children’s items (furniture/toys) even in a payment dispute.
4. The Florida Factor: Climate and Access
When hiring a local (Florida) company, you have to be aware of some climate and common area access factors before you hire a mover.
- If you’re moving from Florida to any big cities (such as New York), your items will go through temperature fluctuations. So, make sure the interstate moving company you’re planning to hire offers weather-sealed trailers to prevent wood warping and mold.
- Ensure the mover provides a Certificate of Insurance if you’re moving out of a gated community in Orlando or a Miami high-rise. A COI is important in these areas, as it confirms a mover’s responsibility to protect the common areas of a building, such as hallways, elevators, and lobbies, from damage.
5. Red Flags to Avoid
Here are the most concerning red flags you need to avoid while choosing a mover in the US.
- Know it’s a scam if the professionals do not walk through in person or virtually, but provide a quote over the phone.
- The largest moving companies in the US do not require a large cash deposit before the move. If a mover is asking for it, avoid it immediately. Also, remember, reputable movers only accept credits for deposition, which is essential in fraud protection.
- If the mover answers the phone with vague or generic phrases like Moving Company, instead of a specific name, there’s a high chance of a scam.
- Also, avoid companies offering suspiciously low bids or that do not have credible, registered documents.
Hire an Experienced, Professional Interstate Moving Company for a Stress-Free Moving.
Planning for residential or corporate relocation? Hire a professional moving company based on their services, insurance, estimate, and pricing. Check their reviews on the digital platforms before you opt for one.
